Middletown woman victim of bodily fluid attack

A 20-year-old Middletown woman was hit with an unknown bodily fluid Tuesday while shopping at a Walmart in New Castle, according to police.

By Scott Gossscott.goss@doverpost.com

A 20-year-old Middletown woman was hit with an unknown bodily fluid Tuesday while shopping at a Walmart in New Castle, according to police.

The victim, who has not been identified, was talking on her phone in an aisle of the store at 117 Wilton Blvd. when a man later identified as Frank Short Jr., a 22-year-old resident of New Castle, threw the liquid onto her leg, according to Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. John Day.

Short continued to follow the woman as she walked through the store before reaching a pair of employees who escorted her to a secure location and called police.

Short was taken into custody at the Walmart without incident, Day said.

He is charged with offensive touching with bodily fluid, harassment, lewdness and disorderly conduct.

Short is being held in the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $2,500 cash and a $4,000 secured bail.

The victim did not require medical attention, Day said.

An investigation is ongoing and state police are asking anyone who has been the victim of a similar act to call (302)834-2620, ext. 571.